Feeding Therapy & Lactation Counseling and Support

Feeding therapy can benefit individuals experiencing difficulties with eating, swallowing, or maintaining a balanced diet. You may want to seek an evaluation if you or your child shows any of the following signs:

• Consistent picky eating that limits nutrition

• Anxiety around new foods

• Difficulty swallowing or frequent choking/coughing while eating

• Refusal to eat certain textures or types of food

• Extended mealtimes (lasting over 30 minutes)

• Weight loss, poor growth, or failure to thrive

• Difficulty transitioning to new foods or progressing to age-appropriate textures

• Gagging, vomiting, or showing distress during meals

• Feeding difficulties associated with medical conditions or developmental delays

Early intervention is key to preventing further complications and improving overall quality of life. If you recognize any of these signs, our team at Redwood Therapies is here to help with a thorough evaluation and tailored therapy plan to address your specific needs.

At Redwood Therapies, we offer specialized support for infants struggling with breast or bottle feeding. Samantha is a Speech Pathologist, Certified Orofacial Myologist, and Certified Lactation Counselor, giving expert guidance for a range of feeding concerns, including latching difficulties, milk transfer issues, and challenges with bottle /breast feeding. We work closely with parents to ensure a nurturing feeding experience, promote healthy growth, and address concerns such as tongue tie, poor weight gain, or difficulty transitioning between breast and bottle. Whether you’re a new parent or facing ongoing feeding challenges, we are here to support your baby’s feeding journey with personalized care.

We understand the challenges that come with having a newborn, especially when feeding difficulties arise. That’s why we offer convenient in-home therapy services for infants, allowing you to receive expert care in the comfort of your own home. Samantha provides personalized, compassionate support without the added stress of traveling. We are here to make feeding therapy more accessible, so you can focus on what matters most—your baby’s health and well-being.

A pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) is a condition in which a child experiences difficulty eating or drinking in a typical or expected way for their age. This disorder can affect a child’s ability to consume sufficient nutrition and hydration, leading to challenges with growth, development, and overall health. Pediatric feeding disorders can involve issues with:

• Sucking, chewing, or swallowing food and liquids

• Accepting or tolerating a variety of food textures and types

• Behavioral or sensory responses to eating (such as food refusal, gagging, or extreme pickiness)

• Coordination or muscle control necessary for safe eating

• Feeding endurance, taking an excessive amount of time to finish meals

Children with PFD may have underlying medical conditions (e.g., gastroesophageal reflux, neurological conditions, tongue tie, or congenital anomalies), developmental delays, or sensory aversions. Early identification and intervention through feeding therapy are crucial to addressing the problem and preventing long-term nutritional or social-emotional impacts.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterized by a persistent refusal or avoidance of certain foods, leading to inadequate nutrition or significant health issues. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not driven by body image concerns but rather by factors such as:

• Sensory sensitivities to food textures, smells, tastes, or appearance

• Fear of choking, vomiting, or other negative experiences associated with eating

• Lack of interest in food or eating, often leading to reduced appetite

Individuals with ARFID may experience:

• Significant weight loss or failure to gain weight appropriately

• Nutritional deficiencies due to a limited diet

• Dependency on supplements or tube feeding to meet nutritional needs

• Difficulty in social or developmental aspects related to eating

ARFID commonly affects children, but it can persist into adulthood if untreated. Early intervention with a multidisciplinary approach involving feeding therapy, nutrition counseling, and sometimes mental health support is essential to help individuals broaden their food intake and maintain healthy eating habits.

At Redwood Therapies, we provide specialized therapy for adults experiencing dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia can result from various conditions such as stroke, neurological disorders, or age-related changes, and can significantly impact daily life. Our therapy approach is tailored to each individual’s needs, focusing on improving swallowing function, safety during meals, and overall quality of life. We work with clients to reduce the risk of aspiration, enhance nutrition, and regain confidence in eating. Our compassionate team is here to support you every step of the way.